Table-leaf support



(Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

W. KLINE.

TABLE LEAF SUPPORT. No. 247,367. Patented Sept. 20,1881.

WIT/mess es wmtor ww w PETERS. mammm n hnn Wnhingtun. D. c

(ModelJ 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

W. KLINE.

, TABLE LEAF-SUPPORT.

No. 247,367. Patented Sept. 20, 1881.

n. PETERS. Phowunmgmphw, Walhinglon. n. c.

-UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

I/VILLIAM KLINE, OF PIQUA, OHIO.

TABLE-LEAF SUPPORT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 247,367, dated September 20, 1881.

Application filed May 28, 1881. (Model.)

ters or figures of reference marked thereon,

which form a part of this specification.

The present invention relates to that class of table-leaf supports in which apivoted brace or supporting bar carried by the hinged tableleaf engages automatically with a catch device on the table-frame when said leaf is raised into a horizontal position.

The object of my invention is to provide a leaf-supporting device which shall be more simple in construction and effective in operation than others heretofore devised.

To this end the invention consists in the construction and combination of parts hereinafter described, and set forth in the claim.

In the drawings, Figure l is a side elevation of my support shown applied to a table and hinged leaf, with one of the legs broken away. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the retaining or catch device detached from the table, and Fig. 3 is a transverse section taken through the table, the raised leaf, and its supporting device. Fig. 4 illustrates the position of the various parts when turning the leaf down.

The letter A designates a table having a leaf, B, hinged thereto in any approved manner. A supporting brace or bar, C, pivoted to the under side of the table-leaf, is provided with a. diamond or double wedge-shaped projection or head, D, which engages with a catch or retaining device on the table, and serves to hold the hinged leaf in a raised or horizontal position. The upper end of the supporting brace or bar 0 has a journal or pin, a, which turns in asocket, and the said brace projects through a slot of a plate, E, secured to the table-leaf.

A metallic plate, F, is interposed between the journal at and table-leaf, so as to obviate the wear thereof.

A flanged plate or hanger, G, secured to the cross-rail of the table at or about the middle thereof, is slotted at its front side, or is used in connection with a vertical guide-arm, H, also secured to the rail of the table. The plate or hanger G is formed or provided with a wedge-shaped projection, I, which is arranged in line with the slot made in said plate or hanger for the passage of the supporting-brace carried by the leaf.

A pivoted block, J, is arranged in rear of the projection I of the hanger, and is so constructed and fitted that the head or projection D of the leaf-brace can pass over or under said block, for. the object hereinafter stated. The upper portion of the block J is made thinner than the lower portion, so as to form an oblique way or ledge, j, on which the projection of the leaf-brace runs in passing to the retainin g-projection I on the hanger G. A gudgeon or pin, b, projecting from the upper eudof the block J, fits into a hole madein the hanger G, and located directly in line with the upper or knife edge of the projection I. The lower edge of the block J has a vertical or straight face, a middle inclined face, and a bottom horizon tal face. The verticalface of the block rests against the rear face of the projection I when said block is in its normal position, and the oblique way or ledge j terminates on a level with the top edge of the projection I.

The operation of a leaf-support of the construction above described is as follows, viz: When the leaf is in a lowered or vertical position the brace or supporting bar extends in an upward direction or toward the table-top, this position of the brace being permitted by reason of the particular hinge-connection employed by me. When the table leaf is being raised the double wed ge-shaped projection or head of the brace or supporting bar will pass upon the inclined way of the pivoted block, and as soon as the leaf is in a horizontal position the projection or head of the brace will glide over the top edge of the projection I on the hanger and drop upon a bottom shoulder or ledge, L, of the projection. This shoulder will limit or arrest the movement of the brace, and consequently serve to hold the leaf in a horizontal or raised position. It will be entirely impossible to lower the table-leaf after the parts are in the position just mentioned by any downward pressure brought to bear upon said leaf. The leaf can only he released for lowering it by slightly raising the same or giving it an upwardjarring movement when the head of the brace is freed from the shoulder or ledge of the wedge-shaped projection, so as to drop down in front of said shoulder. This will carry the head of the brace under the projection I into a way or guide formed by said projection and a bottom flange of the hanger, and the descent of the leaf into a vertical position will cause the head of the brace to raise the pivoted block by passing under it and assumin g the position first mentioned. The pivoted block is returned to its normal position as soon as the head of the brace has passed from under the same, and is thus in position for the next operation.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The combination of the hanger or plate ha" ing a wedge-shaped projection with bottom shoulder, and the block pivoted to said han ger, and provided with an inclined way, with the table-frame and the table-leaf provided with a pivoted brace having an end head, as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

OHAs. GRAEF, J. L. MCKINNEY. 

